News Release

Friday, July 17, 2009

Los Angeles: The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) is asking for the public’s help in identifying and capturing the robbery crew that allegedly robbed five banks throughout the Valley area since May 2009. The suspects have been dubbed “The Buckshot Bandits.” The Federal Bureau of Investigation is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the identification and arrest of the robbery crew.

On May 1, 2009, the LAPD Robbery-Homicide Division, Robbery Special Section, assumed the investigative responsibility of a bank robbery series that has occurred in the Valley area. During these robberies, the suspects enter the bank armed with a shotgun or blue-steel semi-automatic weapons. After robbing multiple tellers, the suspects exit the location, leaving a suspicious package inside the bank. Detectives suspect there are four to six crew members that work in concert to commit these robberies; however, only two suspects enter the bank at one time.

These suspects are considered armed and dangerous.

The following locations have been robbed:

May 1, 2009 10:20 a.m. First Bank 17000 Ventura Blvd.

May 29, 2009 1:50 p.m. US Bank 13701 Riverside Dr.

June 12, 2009 9:40 a.m. First Federal Bank 18585 Ventura Blvd.

July 10, 2009 12:10 p.m. CitiBank 22000 Ventura Blvd.

July 10, 2009 12:44 p.m. US Bank 17250 Ventural Blvd.

Anyone with information about this case is asked to contact LAPD Detective Bret Richards of the Robbery Homicide Division, Robbery Special Section at 213-485-2511. After hours or on weekends, calls may be directed to a 24-hour, toll-free number at 1-877-LAPD-24-7 or by texting CRIMES (274637) and beginning the message with the letters LAPD. Tipsters may also submit information on the LAPD website: www.lapdonline.org. All tips may remain anonymous.